Why we're so proud of John and Norma

More than 100 residents from Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding area – including Thessalon, St. Joseph Island, Iron Bridge, Duberuilville, Elliot Lake, Blind River, Goulais River, Wawa, and Chapleau – were honoured Wednesday evening with Ontario Volunteer Service Awards presented on behalf of the Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade.

The awards were bestowed in recognition of their dedication and continuous years of volunteer service to local organizations such as the Sault Area Hospital, the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site, the Soup Kitchen Community Centre, the YMCA, the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, the United Way, and many others.

John and Norma Dalrymple are two such honourees, volunteering 40 years each for our young cadets – John for the Air Cadet League of Canada and Norma for the 155 Borden Grey GC Squadron Sponsoring Committee.

As an Air Cadet himself from 1952 to 1956, John told SooToday his involvement in the program had a profound impact on his life.

When he and Norma moved back to Sault Ste. Marie from California, they wanted their own children to be cadets, so they began volunteering to facilitate the local program.

“It’s a great program and we still believe in it, so why quit?” John said. “We’ll will keep it up forever.”

As a life-time member of the Provincial Committee, he wasn’t joking.

“We’re leaving the Sponsoring Committee this year, but we’ll always support the program,” Norma told us.

Norma encourages area youngsters who might be interested in volunteer work to join the Air Cadets, given the program’s reputation for volunteerism.

“From there, you’ll gain the confidence to go and volunteer for other groups as well,” she said.

“I don’t have any words of wisdom ever,” John joked, “but pick an organization you believe in and stick with it. Keep going and do what needs to be done. There’s always need for warm bodies. You don’t have to be brilliant or have excessive talent. There’s always a spot for you somewhere.”

This year, the province will recognize more than 11,000 individuals with Ontario Volunteer Service Awards.

Awards are presented to adults serving between five and 60+ years, while youth under the age of 24 are recognized for two or more years of continuous service.

To learn more about the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards, including information on the nomination process, please click here.

A list of all award recipients, sortable by name, home town or number of years served, is available here.